R-tifacts 87 atc 250r build (Tons of pictures)

[R-tifacts]

This is my story of how a 1987 Honda ATC 250R replica came to exist. Back in July of 2010 I worked a deal with a guy to buy and install a set of struts in his wife’s car in exchange for a mutt, multi-year liquid R in a box. She was rough, but mostly all there.[/ATTACH]129124129127129121129131129120
I caught this damned 3wheeler disease from fellow member and close friend “Cave Rider”. As much as I love his 85, and 86R I wanted to do something different, so I set out to build me an 87 250R. It was built with the utmost attention to detail with the limited information I could find. Most of the info for this build was available right here on 3ww under the “missing in action” posting. The very first step was breaking the bike down as far as it could be every nut, bolt, washer and seal. The frame was then sent out for low pressure sand blasting.129119
I work at a garage with an auto body shop so I went through the 1987 motorcycle paint chip book and matched an original OEM Honda part still in a bag (Chain roller mounting bracket). The body shop then laid 3mills of Honda red and 4mills of clear on the frame.129123
Shortly After getting the frame back from paint I was involved in a truck vs. motorcycle accident and being on the motorcycle I did not fair too well.129133129134
I was laid up for about 2 months before I could get back to the R. In that time Cave Rider did a complete overhaul on the motor/trans for me. Even put Honda bolts washers and seals in her for me. What a guy!(note: motor sidecover has been changed to 86 style with embossed gear pattern)129118129122129129129132129125
While I was trying to grow bones back together the R just hung out under the T.V. in Cave Riders shop patiently awaiting my return. 129130
When I finally got back at it I had the swing arm sand blasted by fellow member BigRedRidr who does all my blasting (yet another great guy to have on the team). Then matching the paint on the still available pro-link sticker I had the swing arm painted and cleared.129138129139129137
All useable parts were either sand blasted or chemically striped, then primed, painted and cleared. Two coats of primer, three of color and then two of clear. I used dupli-color 500 degree engine enamel with ceramic primer, paint and clear on all hard parts with great results. I would highly recommend this paint it is very durable, gas and brake fluid resistant, available in many colors, sprays nice, it just plain works. The stuff is like $6 a can and I spent in the neighborhood of $100 or more in paint but this is one area that can make or break a restoration. Get the good stuff129136129135
ok at this point it wont let me add anymore pictures to this post so it looks like im going to have to do a part 2

[bkm]

Looking very good. Keep up the pic's.

[R-tifacts]

We rebuilt the front forks new bushings, oil and seals. I polished the forks to get the dings and scratches out, installed red boots with a slightly different design but its all I could find in red.The rear suspension was all rebuilt as well129158129148129157
Cave Riders shop is where this whole 10 month restoration took place. Most of the work done in the shop is on trikes with a quad and bike thrown in once in a while. Many trike enthusiasts pass through the shop, and upon seeing the level of attention we were putting into this R a guy donated his near flawless motor and swing arm skid plate to the project.129160
Next we got wind of a local man who is somewhat of a “mad scientist” doing electro plating and zinc plating in old fish tanks in his living room. I quickly got a box of goodies together for him to plate. The results were great and the pricing more than fair.129146129145
Next problem was the headlight shell, as many of you are aware Maier does not make an 86/87 shell so it’s not available in white, I was forced to sand a new old stock shell and have it painted white. The paint shop used a flex agent used for painting plastic bumper covers and matched the Maier shrouds I bought.129156129147129150
The 86 R and presumably 87 came with a non cooling fin (smooth) front brake caliper, this was made possible thanks to 3ww member seadoo650 selling me the missing caliper bracket I needed. I also got the joy of digging through member 350xboy’s collection for some brackets, mounts and other miscellaneous items I needed. 129161129159129149129168129169129172
The correct stickers were a combined effort of a generic 86 sticker kit from ebay and two former 3ww members. A fellow by the name of John Dexter had done the leg work and had a set of shroud, front and rear fender stickers made for his replica 87 he plans on building, I found him through 3ww (what a great site!). I contacted him via e mail sending a few pictures of my build and asked for a set of stickers. The next day he sent them out priority mail saying he was still in the parts gathering stage and I needed them more than he did. He would order more out of Europe which is where mine originally came from! You have got to love the character and passion us true three-wheeler enthusiasts have, I know I sure do. How ever I was still missing the large R decals for the rear fender.129164129170
The trike then spent the winter in my living room, while I hunted down the real hard to find parts. Finally one day a keyed ignition came up on ebay with a “buy it now” (this never happens). Only seeing two come up for auction in the past 10 months and loosing both of them, I jumped on the buy it now button so fast I almost lost my boots.129163129162129171129167
Ok so I am at the 20 picture per post limit again so look for part 3

[R-tifacts]

So there I am bike 98% complete and out of the blue an 87 tribute bike shows up on ebay and a 3ww link to it. The seller is a Frank Destra and he has the large R decals I need. We shoot a few E-mails back and forth turns out we were bidding against each other on the 87 200x keyed ignition auctions. Frank sends me out the decals along with an 87 vin decal and even offers to re-cover and stencil my seat.129175129174129173 Another great trike guy Frank is, and now has been a huge help on my 86 tecate build. I just recently got the correct flat slide carb and the OEM grab bar,129176 I have yet to install them but I figured it was about time to write this up.

Well that pretty much wraps up the bike and my story I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I would like to give thanks to everyone that helped in the build. Here is a quick before and after....129178129177

FOREVER THREE WHEELS ~R-tifacts

[rdlsz24]

Awesome build man, the best 87 replica that I have seen!

Rob

[bigworm626]

The best! Simply the best kid. Awesome work. You should be really proud of yourself.

[Buster Brown]

Nice! X2 on the above mention!

[bigredridr]

the trike is seriously in his living room lol. it is really a site to see its like seeing a brand new trike.

[Cave Rider]

One of the more interesting builds we have done for sure. Cant wait to wrap-up the ATC 500R coversion as well as the tecate. It will be a fun winter in the shop to say the least

[gomer202]

I'm in love with this thing!

[max]

Thanks for sharing your story. It was a great read. Awesome work/craftsmanship!!!!!

[oldskool83]

very nice, least it looks like the only photo ive ever see on a 87 R. should build more lol!

[k00leo]

The best looking 250r i have seen so far!

[Fungo Wizard]

Very nice work! That thing is awesome!!!!

[R-tifacts]

Thanks for all the comments guys it truly was a labor of love for all involved. I am lucky to have good friends to lend a helping hand and a very understanding ole lady! There were weeks where I spent more time with the R than her.:beer

[HONDA_ATC_FREAK]

I couldn't take that out of my living room, I'd be to scared of something happing to it. lol that thing is BEAUTYFUL:TrikesOwn

[brd812]

Well I use to park my harley in my dinning room when I lived in a apartment complex, Well I think I'm gonna tell the girlfriend to pack up her s&*% and I'm moving my 87 Shee in. NOT....... I love the R, like you said a "labor of Love".Great Work.

[Dammit!]

Great job on an awesome build!

[Bustos82]

that is awesome man. here in the future i want to build one. good job....

[pablo]

Awesome story.

The greatest thing about 3ww are the members and their willingness to help others.

[aldochina]

wow, excellant job. would love to see it in person!! you guys arnt to far from me!! maybe an hour. i think a road trip may be in order some day! sexy ass trike indeed!! just noticed, look at my post count!:lol:

[motoman1012002]

Very nice machine

[Mondexbrute]

Very nice, I think thats the first '87 R that I have ever seen! Also I gotta get one of those stands for my 400x.

[Auto_Demon]

amazing!!!

[Brockey]

Beautiful! Really nice job. New background pic. Thxs

[bkm]

Looks awsome and it takes balls to be able to take a piece of sandpaper and paint to a NOS piece of plastic. Congrats on the outcome.

[atc007]

What to say?? Absolutely awesome! And sitting right where it belongs!!! Keep those curtains pulled! That sun will quickly fade the crap out of all that hard work!!

[R-tifacts]

Looks awsome and it takes balls to be able to take a piece of sandpaper and paint to a NOS piece of plastic. Congrats on the outcome.

I Had no choice, at least thats what I keep telling myslef ! I feel better that way. thanks for the kind words.

[200x350xtriz250]

Love the bike! Very nice work!

[dcreel]

It definitely looks awesome..

[R-tifacts]

This is the first time I have been able to look at all the pictures in order, it is neat to watch the shop take shape in the back ground of the pictures, at the same time as this 250r build we were building the 20x20 addition on the shop.

[userj8670]

I'm at a loss for words. Outstanding!!

[R-tifacts]

The R got a room mate this weekend 132344132345

[TatTooL23]

R u single yet? Lol

[TatTooL23]

That is amazing. I love it. I was gonna comment about the prm grab bar but then u got the stock one. I think the only thing that stands out to me is the maier bubbly rounded shrouds. Not that it looks bad but with how perfect everything else is. U could get NOS shrouds and sand and paint them just like u did the headlight. In my opinion the OEM shrouds look 100 times better with the sharper angles and edges.

Again please don't think I'm knocking the trike. It's amazing. Great job.

[HONDA_ATC_FREAK]

BEST ROOM EVER!!!! lol

[R-tifacts]

R u single yet? Lol

Actulay buying the Tecate was her idea and intill I get my garage built at my house I cant leave em out in the cold. As far as sanding oem shrouds, I couldnt do it. They are too hard to find in good shape. I almost had a breakdown deciding to sand the headlight shell or not. If I were to find oem red shrouds in good shape I would then have to build a trike around them.;)

[Billy Golightly]

Wow, nice job on this bike build!

[tecat-z]

Awesome trikes, and they look great in the living room too. I've got a friend who has 3 completely restored Honda Trail 70's in his den, and one on his office wall.

[Jason125m]

Freaking amazing work R-tifacts! That looks beautiful. I love the tecate too!

Someday I will be able to keep a trike in my living room.

Jason

[gotabaT3]

Truly amazing builds. Top notch on both the 250r and the Tecate. When is the Tri z going to join the pack? Will it be a yellow, Black or White one?

[R-tifacts]

Im thinking black on the tri-z......:D. Been looking for one for a while now, by a while I mean 2 months or so. Currently looking to buy a rider 250r for the ice season fast aproaching. We will see what old santa can squeeze down the chimney haha.

[Darius1502]

Awesome work man!! I am loving it! I was wondering if you were going to take off the black number plate backgrounds on the rear fender and then just stick the 'R' to the fender. I think the '87 looked like that.

Killer stuff!!

135534

[ATC-Eric]

Such a good job! Always loved the 87 color scheme. Pretty crazy picture of your hand! Always on the lookout when I ride my bike, other drivers suck. But seriously, top notch on the R. Good job!!!!!!!

[thestud25]

Great Job on the bike, turned out sweet.

However, now some newb is going to swear he has a friend, who's uncle, dated this chick, who's little brother was banging the President of XYZ Honda's daughter and they had a 87R in their living room and your pics will show up!

Again, fantastic job!!

[R-tifacts]

Awesome work man!! I am loving it! I was wondering if you were going to take off the black number plate backgrounds on the rear fender and then just stick the 'R' to the fender. I think the '87 looked like that.

Killer stuff!!

135534

I have been toying with that idea, to be correct the "R" would go right on the fender no black background, but honestly it looks funny like that, it looks much better in my opinion with the black background. I have never taken the back of the stickers off they are just siting there( no wind to deal with inside my house:)). I dunno what to do, I went this far to make it correct so I guess I will have to take the black number plate off.....or maybe not....still undecided.....I should make a poll

AtcEric, thanks man yea the hand was a bit painfull, you should have seen the look on my face when i went to get those 6in long pins removed and I walked into this...135536

[userj8670]

Hey bud where in NY are you located? Im near niagara
falls

[HONDA_ATC_FREAK]

lol did they let you keep the vise grips at least since they weren't sterile any more.

[R-tifacts]

lol did they let you keep the vise grips at least since they weren't sterile any more.

I asked if I could keep them, they sterilize them and re-use them believe it or not. Cost 3 grand for them to just rip them out and they wouldnt even let me keep the vice grips. If I'd have knowen that I would have done it at home.

Userj8670, I am about 40 min from albany ny

[HONDA_ATC_FREAK]

well that's a rip off 3g's and you don't even get a complementary set of vise grips lol

[beets442]

Three wheelers in the livingroom.......AWESOME!

[wolfspider]

very nice job!! would look nice in my house too lol!! i have the parts book and the microfiche for 1987 atc250r, there are a few differences, the 87 250r used a 350x 86 style front caliper, no rear black decals, keyed ignition, airbox had an extra intake balance tube like the trx`s and the skid plate had cushion inserts between the frame and the skid, plus a few other minor changes.
once again great job!!

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/wolfspider22/scan0001-1.jpg

[R-tifacts]

very nice job!! would look nice in my house too lol!! i have the parts book and the microfiche for 1987 atc250r, there are a few differences, the 87 250r used a 350x 86 style front caliper, no rear black decals, keyed ignition, airbox had an extra intake balance tube like the trx`s and the skid plate had cushion inserts between the frame and the skid, plus a few other minor changes.
once again great job!!

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/wolfspider22/scan0001-1.jpg

Sick! I must have a copy of that, would you mail a detailed copy to me? can you even copy those fishe's ? Also I have the keyed igntion and brake caliper on the bike.

[wolfspider]

check out this thread, it gives a few pics that i scanned, i know the where abouts of another of these manuals but its quite expensive, about 50 uk pounds. i will scan a few other pages if you need them.
i think you have done an awesome job and wasn`t nit picking, just wanted to confirm some of the differences.
steve.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/43104-87-250r-Parts-Manual-Found!!!!?highlight=atc250rh

[BWard]

Absolutely Awesome !!!!
I Love It !!

[R-tifacts]

Recently had my seat re-coverd, the stencil was incorrect on the first cover. It was only sltghtly off but it bothered me so I had Ms. Mosh do it this time.154751 Should have gone to her in the first place. Her material is better and the work supurb. Also the staples used on the first cover job were incorrect. Just wanted to give you all an update and give a thank you to the Mosh's!:beer 154753154752

[ezmoney1979]

That looks incredible!! Thanks for the update :beer

[Kintore]

That is friggin killer! Please tell me your coming to TF?? I want to see this bad boy in person if it ever leaves your living room?

Probably a good idea it wont move actually, what a piece of art!


Nice work man, well done!

[R-tifacts]

That is friggin killer! Please tell me your coming to TF?? I want to see this bad boy in person if it ever leaves your living room?

Probably a good idea it wont move actually, what a piece of art!


Nice work man, well done!

Thank you, I will make it to trike fest one of these years. Me and a buddy are planing on it once his boy is a bit older . When we come we will bring all the trikes......I better start looking for a larger trailer

[Mrs.Mosh]

Thanks for the kind words. I am very pleased to hear you like the seat. The trike looks great!